Around the Campfire
Southwest rice bowls are a flexible camp dinner for families with different tastes. The cook handles the chicken and warm base, then everyone builds their own bowl.
Why This Recipe Works
The Blackstone cooks chicken quickly and warms corn, beans, and rice in separate zones or a pan. Bowls stay easy because the toppings finish at the table.
Quick Facts
- Serves: 4
- Heat zone: Medium-high
- Best for: Family bowl bars, leftover rice, easy dinners
- Teaches: Modular meal building
Shopping List
- Chicken
- Cooked rice
- Corn
- Black beans
- Pepper Jack
- Optional salsa, lime, or avocado
Home Prep
Cook rice at home and chill completely. Portion toppings and chicken before the trip.
Cooler Packing
Keep chicken cold and below ready-to-eat foods. Keep cooked rice sealed.
Equipment
- Blackstone griddle
- Spatula
- Tongs
- Bowls
Heat Zones
Use medium-high heat for the fillings and a cooler zone for holding finished portions.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast (or thighs), cut into bite-size pieces
- 3 cups cooked white or brown rice, chilled
- 1 cup frozen or canned corn, drained if using canned
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup shredded Pepper Jack cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the griddle to medium-high.
- Cook chicken until browned and 165°F.
- Warm rice, corn, and beans.
- Set out toppings.
- Build bowls with rice, chicken, vegetables, cheese, and toppings.
Doneness
Chicken should reach 165°F and bowl ingredients should be hot throughout.
Common Mistakes
- Waiting to prep toppings until chicken is done.
- Drying rice out on high heat.
- Mixing cold toppings into the griddle zone.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with chips, salsa, tortillas, avocado, lime wedges, or fruit.
Variations
- Use steak or chorizo.
- Add peppers and onions.
- Make burritos instead of bowls.
Dietary Adaptations
- Gluten-free: As written if seasonings are verified.
- Dairy-free: Skip cheese.
- Vegetarian: Skip chicken and add beans.
Scaling
Cook chicken in batches and serve bowls buffet-style.
Weather Notes
Bowls work well in wind because components can be held separately.
Leftovers
Use leftovers in burritos, quesadillas, fried rice, or breakfast bowls.
Kid Helper Tasks
Kids can build their own bowls and choose toppings.
Dragonfly Tip
Bowls are the easiest way to keep one dinner flexible.
Dragonfly Challenge
Build one bowl over rice and one in a tortilla. Pick the better camp format.